'Birds Rebound Behind Dominant Dietz
LAKEWOOD, NJ - Matthias Dietz pitched six dominant innings to help the Delmarva Shorebirds get back in the win column with a 5-1 decision over the Lakewood BlueClaws on Friday night at FirstEnergy Park.Dietz (2-0) had his best stuff on display for the Shorebirds (8-1), allowing one run on four
LAKEWOOD, NJ -
Dietz (2-0) had his best stuff on display for the Shorebirds (8-1), allowing one run on four hits in six innings of work. He walked none and tied a career-high with seven strikeouts, including five in a row from the second through third innings. Dietz, who threw just 70 pitches on the night, is now one win shy of matching his total from all of last season.
Delmarva broke open the scoring in the top of the fourth. Ben Brezeale laced a one-out double down the right field line to bring up
Lakewood got that run back in the bottom of the fifth as
The Shorebirds went in front to stay in the seventh. Craport led off with a single, then after a T.J Nichting flyout,
Nichting singled to lead off the ninth, and Jarrett put the game away two batters later with a two-run homer to left. The blast was Jarrett's second of the season and gave the game its final margin.
Craport, Nichting, and Curran each went 2-for-4 with a run for the Shorebirds, while Jarrett, Ripken, and Crinella drove in four of the five runs from the bottom of the order.
Maton led the way for the BlueClaws, going 2-for-3 with a double, walk, and RBI.
Lakewood starter
Dietz's latest turn gives the Delmarva rotation six quality starts in their first nine games. The starters are posting a combined ERA of 1.79.
This was the first Shorebirds game all season that went to the bottom of the ninth. Delmarva won its first seven games at home in decisive fashion, and the home BlueClaws won on Thursday without coming to bat in the ninth.
The Shorebirds go for a 9-1 start against the BlueClaws on Saturday afternoon. Right-hander